Hospitalization profile of older adults patients with femur fractures in the Southern Region of Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: The rise in femur fractures as causes of hospitalization among the elderly in Brazil reflects the impact of population aging and associated health conditions. Objective: Evaluate the profile of hospitalizations of older adults due to hip fractures in Brazil, especially in the Southern region. Methodology: Data were extracted from SIH/DATASUS, covering the period from 2013 to 2022, and hospitalizations due to femur fractures in the elderly were analyzed by age group and gender. The trend analysis was performed using Stata software, employing the Prais-Winsten regression method, and the rate was calculated per 1,000 inhabitants, according to data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). Results: Hospitalization rates for femur fractures are high, with greater prevalence among women. Factors such as osteoporosis and sarcopenia are significant determinants, with falls being the primary cause. The differences in rates between the regions suggest that environmental, cultural, and climatic factors influence clinical outcomes. Paraná has the highest hospitalization rate in the Southern region during the period analyzed. In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, all three states recorded hospitalization peaks. Conclusions: This study highlights the need for a multidisciplinary approach to femur fractures in the elderly, including prevention, rehabilitation, and targeted health policies. The financial impact of these hospitalizations underscores the urgency of interventions to mitigate the impact of such fractures. Understanding the profile of femur fracture hospitalizations in the elderly is essential for developing effective interventions for this vulnerable population and for public health.

Keywords: Aged. Femoral Fractures. Hospitalization. Geriatrics. Epidemiology.